Curzon Ashton 1 Gainsborough Trinity 2

Monday, 31 October 2016 14:50
Written by wds

Gainsborough secured their first away win of the season as they came from a goal down to defeat Curzon Ashton at the Tameside Stadium. Matt Thornhill snatched the three points with a deflected strike from the edge of the area after good work from Nathan Jarman.

Trinity finally got the reward their performances away from home deserved as they showed grit and determination to come from behind to win. Blues boss Dom Roma named an unchanged side for the trip to Greater Manchester with the only change to the squad being the return of Ioan Evans to the bench after injury. Trinity made the worse possible start, conceding within the opening three minutes. Former Wolves player Johnny Gorman broke down the left, squared to Iain Howard and his shot squirmed under George Willis to break the deadlock.

The Blues were almost level within a minute. Jordan Thewlis escaped into the box, dropped a shoulder to beat his man and brought a save out of the Curzon keeper. The rebound looped in the air for Jarman to volley and a sliding defender some how cleared with his head. They were level 20 minutes later though when Matt Templeton cut in from the right, jinked past two defenders and rifled a shot in the back of the net.

Five minutes later and Jarman came mightily close to putting Trinity ahead. The former Grimsby man instantly controlled a long ball, saw the keeper was off his line and lobbed him, only to find the roof of the net. The chances continued for Gainsborough and when Templeton was fouled on the edge of the box, James Reid curled a free kick wide. From a quick counter Jarman tried once more from range, firing a thunderous strike goal wards which Ashton keeper Hakan Burton managed to turn wide.

Curzon came out firing for the second half and hit the post within the first five minutes when Chris Rowney met a far post cross with his head. The home side were dominant up to the hour and then the Blues began to get a foothold in the game and regain some composure. Chances were few and far between until the 74th minute when Trinity took the lead. Jarman found himself on the right wing and hit a cross into the box more in hope than expectation. The cross was only half cleared and the late running Thornhill found the back of the net via a deflection.

The home side were almost level within three minutes and would have been had it not been for Willis. A speculative shot from range bounced awkwardly in front of him with it running into the path of Niall Cummins to drill Curzon level until Willis reacted superbly to parry for a corner. Trinity saw the remaining ten minutes out with little bother as a commanding defensive display particularly from goalkeeper Willis meant the Blues secured their first away win of the season.